Inherent rewound film transport system

ABSTRACT

A system for unwinding a motion picture film from a payoff or unwind cassette through a projector and winding the film on a takeup cassette in such a manner that the film is inherently rewound, whereby the takeup cassette may be immediately used as the payoff cassette. The film is unwound from the center toward the outside of the payoff cassette, and is wound on a collapsable, removable core within a cassette which includes means for firmly holding and centering the outside of a completely wound coil of film. Also disclosed are means for automatically handling the film reels or cassettes from storage to payoff to windup positions and to automatically handle the leading end of the film to begin both threading into the projector and windup on the callapsable core.

United States Patent Kittredge [54] INHERENT REWOUND FILM TRANSPORTSYSTEM [72] lnventor: Raymond Edson Kittredge, Binghamton,

[73] Assignee: The Singer Company, New York, NY. [22] Filed: Sept. 18,1970 [21] Appl. No.: 73,535

[52] U.S.Cl ..242/55.l8, 352/128 [5|] lnt.Cl ..B65h 17/48 [58]FieldotSearch.. ..242/55.l8,55.2];352/128 (56] References Cited UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 2,443,248 6/1948 Hurley ..242/55.l8X 2,670,202 2/1954Gregg ....242/55.l8 3,292,875 12/1966 Rojic ....242/55.2l 2,094,92210/1937 John ..242/55.l8

vacuum SOURCE Bi 19 A DRIVE I if U n D N D N R El 1 RUEI PREESUHE SOURCEPrimary Examiner-Billy S. Taylor Attorney-Francis L. Masselle, WilliamGrobman and Charles S. McGuire 5 7] ABSTRACT A system for unwinding amotion picture film from a payoff or unwind cassette through a projectorand winding the film on a takeup cassette in such a manner that the filmis inherently rewound, whereby the takeup cassette may be immediatelyused as the payoff cassette. The film is unwound from the center towardthe outside of the payoff cassette, and is wound on a collapsable,removable core within a cassette which includes means for firmly holdingand centering the outside of a completely wound coil of film. Alsodisclosed are means for automatically handling the film reels orcassettes from storage to payoff to windup positions and toautomatically handle the leading end of the film to begin both threadinginto the projector and windup on the callapsable core.

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ATTORNEY drawings, in which:

1 INI-IEREN'I REWOUND FILM TRANSPORT SYSTEM The present inventionrelates to motion picture film handling systems, and more specificallyto means for unwinding a motion picture film from a payoff cassette,through a projector, and winding the film in a condition subject toimmediate replay through the projector without the necessity ofrewinding, in a completely automated fashion.

In certain applications of motion picture projection it is extremelyimportant that idle time on the projector be kept to a minimum. Forexample, motion picture displays used to present a visual simulation ofthe real world in conjunction with fixed-base aviation trainers utilizea specialized, expensive film and idle time on the projector also meansidle time on the flight simulator. Due to the cost and complexity of thelatter, in addition to the visual simulation system used therewith, anyidle time is very costly in terms of lost training value andnon-utilization of equipment representing a high investment.

Although thepresent invention may be applied generally in the field ofmotion picture projection, it is particularly intended for use insystems such as those mentioned above, a

typical example being the visual simulation system manufactured and soldunder the trade name VAMP by the Link Division of Singer-GeneralPrecision, Inc. The projector mechanism used in such systems isessentially the same as conventional projectors used in otherapplications for similar film formats (commonly 70 mm), the apparentchanges in the observers viewpoint being produced by special projectionand display optics. Since the present invention .is concerned only withfeaturesof the film handling exterior to the projector, details of thelatter will not be disclosed, many well-known examples being suitablefor use with the invention.

A special cassette is used to hold the film in the usual, coiled state.As the film comes from the projector it is wound on a rotatingcore'within a stationary outer shell having an opening through which themoving film enters. When the entire length of film is wound within thecassette, an expandable tube or bladder is inflated to the extentrequired to lodge firmly between the outer layer of the film roll andthe inside of the cassette. The inner core is then collapsed and removedfrom the cassette,leaving the film roll hollow and unsupported at thecenter. The cassette may then be immediately placed in the unwindposition on the projector, the, leading end of the film removed from thecenter of the roll and threaded for transport through the projectoragain with no delay whatever.

The film path is displaced laterally between the unwind cassette and theprojector to the extent required for clearance and smooth transport.Completely automated means may be provided for moving the cassettesbetween windup and unwind positions, as well as to and from storage, andto thread the film into the projector and the windup cassette.

It is a principal object of the invention to provide a motion picturefilm transport system which allows immediate replay of a roll of filmwhich has been run through a projector to a windup reel without thenecessity of rewinding.

Another object is to provide a novel motion picture film cassettewherein a length of film may be wound on a central core and rerun fromthe leading end directly through the pro jector.

A further object is to provide a completely automated system forhandling motion picture film through successive replays withoutrewinding.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in partappear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction,combination of elements, and arrangement of parts, which will beexemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope ofthe invention will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the inventionreference should be had to the following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying FIG. I is an elevational view showingcertain elements of the invention in various positions of relativemovement in operative relation to a motion picture'projector;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view, at to the FIG. I view of certain portionsthereof;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view, along the line 3-3 of FIG. 4, of a cassettetransport mechanism, showing a fragment of the eassette;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view on the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side view, partly in section, of an embodiment of the filmcassette;

FIG. 6 is an end view, also partly in section, of the cassette of FIG.5;

FIG. 7 is a composite view of an embodiment of a collapsible coreelement shown both from the side and end in a first position;

FIG. 8 is a composite view, partly in section, of the collapsible corein a second position.

FIG. 9 is an elevational view in section of an embodiment of a filmpick-up device which may be used with the invention; and

FIG. 10 is a fragment of the leading end of the film;

In order to concentrate on the novel features of an operative embodimentof the invention, certain conventional elements such as bearings andother support means, motor drives, and the like, have been omitted orshown only schematically. It will be readily understood how variousembodiments of such conventional elements may be applied as required tothe operative elements of the invention. Also, as previously mentioned,details of the projector mechanical or optical construction form no partof the invention, and therefore the projector is indicated in FIG. 1only by the dotted outline 10. Motion picture film strip 12 is unwoundfrom a coil within cassette l4, fed through projector 10 in the usualmanner for projectionand display, and wound on a rotating core withincassette l6. Cassette 14 is rotated, in a manner to be described as film12 is removed therefrom, and cassette 16 is held in a stationaryposition on support means 18 with the film entering cassette [6 throughan opening properly aligned with projector 10 and wound into a coil byrotation of the central core.

Cassette 14 is supported in the unwind position" shown in An additionalfilm-holding cassette 24 is shown in FIG. 1,

supported in storage rack 26 which may be provided for holding a numberof suchcassettes in properly spaced, side-by-side relation with axesparallel to those of cassettes 14 and 16 mounted in unwind and winduppositions on projector 10. Cassette transport means 28, constructionaldetails and operation of which are described in connection with FIGS. 3and 4, is rotatable on suitable bearing means supporting hollow shaft 72to move cassettes between storage rack 26 and the windup position.Transport means 28 is movable laterally as well as pivotally between twoadjacent positions, and storage rack 26 is preferably also laterallymovable on rollers and guides indicated generally by the referencenumeral 32 to provide added automation capability. That is, lateralmovement of rack 26 allows any of several cassettes, each holding adifferent film sequence, to be selectively aligned with the pick-upposition of transport means 28, as explained more fully later herein.

Means are preferably provided for automatically removing the leading endof film 12 from cassette l4, threading it into and through projector 10,and into cassette l6 and beginning the winding of the film strip on therotatable core therein. Pneumatic pick-up means 34, indicated generallyin FIG. 2 and in more detail in FIG. 9 is mounted for reciprocal,vertical movement to vacuum engage the film leader at the inside of thecoil and hold it for engagement by rotatable sprocket wheel 36 androllers 38 mounted on the ends of pivotal arms 40 and 42, respectively.After the leading end of film '12 has been engaged and driven bysprocket 36, conventional automatic threading means of the typecurrently in use on many projectors, are employed to transport itproperly into, through and out of projector and into cassette 16.Additional vacuum pick-up means described later then engage the leaderso that the film is wound on the rotatable core within cassette 16.

Turning now to FIG. 2, additional details of the sequence of operationof the invention may be seen more clearly. Cassette 14 is shownsupported in the unwind position by chucking means 44 which is affixedto one end of rotatable shaft 45. The latter is supported in suitablebearing means on the movable end of arm 20 for rotation by rotary drivemeans 46. Film 12 is shown displaced laterally to the left as it iswithdrawn from the inside of the coil in cassette 14. This isaccomplished by moving cassette l4 laterally from the unwind position tothe position indicated in FIG. 2 by dot-dash block 48, such movementbeing accomplished by actuation of linear drive means 50, whichcauses-shaft 45 to slide inside arm 20. Vacuum pickup 34 will then'beinside the open center of the coil of film within cassette 14. Lineardrive means 52 are actuated to move open end 54 of pickup 34 downwardlyinto contact with the film leader, vacuum is applied by actuation of anappropriate vacuum source 56, and pickup 34 is moved upward by drivemeans 52. Cassette 14 is then moved back to the normal unwind positionby drive means 50 and arms 40 and 42 are moved together to engagebetween sprocket 36 and roller 38 I the film leader held by vacuumpickup 34. Thatis, a portion of usualmanner. The motion of arm 20between the solid and dot-dash positions shown on FIG. 1 is accomplishedby drive means 59 (FIG. 2) causing arm 20 to rotate about shaft 22.

After film 12 leaves the projector and enters cassette 16 it is wound onrotatable core 60 by application of vacuum from source 56 to theperiphery of the core, in a manner to be described. Core 60'may beradially expanded to the diameter shown within cassette l6 andcontracted to the diameter shown in the position shown in dot-dash linesthrough actuation'of drive means 62 to rotate inner shaft 64, therebyactuating mechanismdescribed later in connection with FIGS. 7 and 8.Also, the core islaterally movable between the two positions'byactuation of linear drive means 66 and rotatable by rotary drive means68, both acting through outer shaft 70.

Construction and operation of cassette transport means 28 are shown inmore detail in FIGS. 3 and 4. Central rod 30 is supported for rotationwithin hollow shaft 72 by bearing means 74. Nuts 76 and 78 are insertedon oppositely cut threads on rod 30. A pair of gripper members 80 and 82each include flange portions 84 and 86, respectively, for engaging lips88 and 90 provided around the side peripheries of each cassette, afragment of cassette 16 being shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Grippers 80 and 82also respectively include circular portions-92 and 94 which looselyencircle hollow shaft 72 for sliding support thereon. Screws 96 extendthrough circular portion 92 into block 98 which is fixedly attached tonut 76 and extends through slotted opening 100 in hollow shaft 72.Circular portion 94 is likewise attached to nut 78 by screws 102 andblock 104, the latter extending through slot 106.

Element 108 is provided between grippers 80 and 82 for impartingrotation thereto. Pins 110 and I12 extend fixedly from element '108through openings slightly larger than the pins in grippers 80 and 82,respectively, and suitable clamp means, a portion of which is shown at114, are provided to afiix element 108 firmly to hollow shaft 72 formovement therewith. Both linear and rotary drive means are provided forhollow shaft 72 and are indicated diagrammatically by the blocksnumbered 116 and 118, respectively, in FIG. 3. Shaft 30 is provided withrotary drive means 120. Actuation of linear drive means 116 is effectiveto cause transporter means 28 to move cassette 16 between the positionshown in solid lines in FIG. 2 and an adjacent position wherein cassette16 has been moved laterally to the position shown in dot-dash lines.Rotary drive means 118 will rotate hollow shaft 72 and element 108,which in turn rotates grippers and 82 by means of pins and 112, to movetransporter means 28 about the axis of shaft 30, thereby transportingcassettes between the storage rack and the position of cassette 16 inFIG. 1. Rotary drive means 120 moves nuts 76 and 78 toward and away fromone another by virtue of the opposite threads on the shaft 30 andvnuts76 and 78, and restraint from rotary movement by blocks 98 and 104extending through slots 100 and 106 of hollow shaft 72 which remainsstationary during rotation of shaft 30. Thus, grippers 80 and 82 may bemoved apart so that flanges 84 and 86 are released from lips 88 and 90on the cassette, or moved together so that the flanges engage thecassette. Since circular members 92 and 94 have larger inside diametersthan the outside diameter of shaft 72, and the openings through whichpins 110 and 112 extend are slightly larger than the pin diameters,grippers 80 and 82 are freely movable while shaft 72 and element 108remain stationary.

The construction of the cassettes l4, l6, and 24 shown in the previousFigures is shown in detail in FIGS. 5 and 6. Two circular side pieces122 and 124 having openings 125 for lightening purposes are pressed ontoa cylindrical support member forming lips 88 and 90 which the grippersmay engage. Support member 130 has an opening through which the film maypass to be wound on the core when the cassette is in the takeupposition. Side piece 122 has an opening 126 to permit the collapsiblecore to be inserted into the center of the cassette. Side piece 124 hasa similar opening 128 in which is inserted annular member 132 having abevel 133 and grooves 134 to permit engagement of the cassette by flatedto be firmly engaged between the outside of the film roll and the insideof the cassette thereby holding the film in position after thecollapsable core is removed. 1 1

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a preferred embodiment of the collapsable core60. FIG. 7 shows the core in its collapsed position and FIG. '8 the corein its expanded position. The f periphery of the core comprises fourleaves having male and female dovetail ends which interleave when thecore is collapsed. Eachleaf is mounted on a radially driven slide 152which is supported by and moves within the central body 154- of the core60. A crank pin 156 on the slide 152 connects it to a link 158. Theother end of the link is connected to crank disc 162 through crank pin'160. Crank disk.l62 .is at the end of shaft 64 (also shown on FIG. 2)supported inside and coaxial with shaft 70 which is connected to themain body 154. Thus as shaft 64 is turned with shaft 70 stationary,crank disk 162 will move links 158 and slides 152 and leaves 150 will bemoved from the position shown in FIG. 7 to that shown in FIG. 8. When inthe extended position of FIG. 8 the links 158 are in a toggled positionto prevent the core from collapsing as film is wound on it. The mannerin which the dovetails are arranged when the core is extended providesgood support to the film and prevents the leader from being caught.

When starting to wind film on the core it is necessary to have a meansto pick up the leader. This is accomplished by a vacuum introducedthrough hollow shaft 64. A hole 164 drilled radially in shaft 64 ispositioned to match with passage 166 in shaft 70 and the main frame 154.The other end of passage 166 matches up with a hole 168 in one of slides152 leading to a hollow passage 170 in the slide. This directs thevacuum to the slot 172 in the leaf 150 where it will pick up the mustpick up. The film 12 has mounted on it some reflective material 174 suchas aluminum foil. When film is to be picked up, drive 50 shown on FIG. 2moves the cassette to the position shown in dot-dash lines and drive 52moves the pickup means 34 close to the film. Light from lamp 176 isdirected by lens 178 to a point below the center of pickup 34. Ifthereflective surface 174 is below the pickup, light will be reflected backand will be directed by lens 180 and mirror 182 to photo cell 184. Whenan output is obtained from photo cell 184 the vacuum from vacuum source56 on FIG. 2 is applied through tube 186 to flexible rubber cup 188causing it to pick up the film. When picked up the film is brought intocontact with sprocket 36 shown on FIG. 2 and is held in contact byrollers 38 shown on FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. The vacuum is then cut off fromsource 56 and the pickup means returned to the position shown in FIG. 2by drive 52. Drive 58 may then drive the film to the threading mechanismof the projector.

Thus, an inherently rewound film handling system has been disclosed. Bywinding film on a collapsable core and paying it off from the centerwith the core removed it is possible to immediately use a cassettewithout further rewinding. Completely automatic operation isaccomplished by including film pickup means and providing means totransport cassettes to and from a storage rack and the takeup and payofipositions.

What is claimed is:

l. A motion picture film projection system wherein a coiled length filmis supported in a first position for transport into a projector and asecond position after passing through said projector and returned to acoiled condition, ready for immediate re-use upon return to said firstposition, said system comprismg:

a. a first film cassette including movable means for engagement betweenthe interior of the cassette body and the outer circumference of thecoil, thereby supporting said film on the outer circumference of thecoil in said first position;

b. film transport means providing a path for said film from the insideof the coil in said first tor for display;

c. means for rotating the coil in said first position as said film ispayed ofi for transport to said projector from the inside to the outsideof the coil;

d. rotatable core means upon which said film is wound into a coil insaid second position;

e. a second film cassette including movable means for engagement betweenthe interior of the cassette body and the outer circumference of thecoil, thereby supporting said film on the outer circumference of thecoil in said second position; and

f. means for removing said core means from the center of the coil aftersaid film is rewound in said second position, thereby leaving an opencenter and allowing access to the end of said film at the inside of thecoil.

2. The invention according to claim I wherein said movable meanscomprises an inflatable bladder affixed to the inside of the cylindricalcasing of said cassette.

3. The invention according to claim 1 and further including firstcassette transport means for engagement with one of said cassettes andoperative to move the latter between said first and second positions andto effect rotation thereof, thereby rotating the film coil, in saidfirst position.

4. The invention according to claim 3 and further including secondcassette transport means for engagement with one of said cassettes andoperative to move the latter between said second position and a thirdposition remote from said projector.

5. The invention according to claim 4 and further including first vacuummeans operative to hold a leading end of said film in contact with saidcore means to allow said film to be wound upon said core means.

6. The invention according to claim 5 and further including secondvacuum means operative to engage the end of said film at the center ofthe coil when the latter is in said first position and position said endfor engagement by said film transport means.

7. The invention according to claim 6 and further including meansassociated with said end of said film in said first position foractivating said second vacuum means toengage said end.

8. The invention according to claim 7 wherein said second vacuum meansinclude photosensitive means and said means associated with said endcomprise a reflective material.

position into said projec

1. A motion picture film projection system wherein a coiled length film is supported in a first position for transport into a projector and a second position after passing through said projector and returned to a coiled condition, ready for immediate re-use upon return to said first position, said system comprising: a. a first film cassette including movable means for engagement between the interior of the cassette body and the outer circumference of the coil, thereby supporting said film on the outer circumference of the coil in said first position; b. film transport means providing a path for said film from the inside of the coil in said first position into said projector for display; c. means for rotating the coil in said first position as said film is payed off for transport to said projector from the inside to the outside of the coil; d. rotatable core means upon which said film is wound into a coil in said second position; e. a second film cassette including movable means for engagement between the interior of the cassette body and the outer circumference of the coil, thereby supporting said film on the outer circumference of the coil in said second position; and f. means for removing said core means from the center of the coil after said film is rewound in said second position, thereby leaving an open center and allowing access to the end of said film at the inside of the coil.
 2. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said movable means comprises an inflatable bladder affixed to the inside of the cylindrical casing of said cassette.
 3. The invention according to claim 1 and further including first cassette transport means for engagement with one of said cassettes and operative to move the latter between said first and second positions and to effect rotation thereof, thereby rotating the film coil, in said first position.
 4. The invention according to claim 3 and further including second cassette transport means for engagement with one of said cassettes and operative to move the latter between said second position and a third position remote from said projector.
 5. The invention according to claim 4 and further including first vacuum means operative to hold a leading end of said film in contact with said core means to allow said film to be wound upon said core means.
 6. The invention according to claim 5 and further including second vacuum means operative to engage the end of said film at the center of the coil when the latter is in said first position and position said end for engagement by said film transport means.
 7. The invention according to claim 6 and further including means associated with said end of said film in said first position for activating said second vacuum means to engage said end.
 8. The invention according to claim 7 wherein said second vacuum means include photosensitive means and said means associated with said end comprise a reflective material. 